Graphic design isn’t just about ensuring your business looks good; it is a vital element of your brand strategy. In today’s marketing world, your first ‘hello’ is often online, which means nailing your graphic design isn’t just nice to have—it’s crucial. Despite its importance, businesses often overlook basic design principles that impact their brand perception and user engagement.
This blog highlights some of the most common graphic design mistakes businesses and organizations make and how to avoid them!
OVERLOOKING USER-CENTERED DESIGN
User experience should always come first in your design strategy. We see it all the time, some businesses get so caught up in aesthetics that they forget about their audiences and customers. Your website, flyers, emails, etc., might look aesthetically beautiful, but it does not help if users find it difficult to navigate or read. Your designs should be well thought out and to draw users in and keep them engaged.
INCONSISTENT BRANDING
Visual branding is like a signature — unique, consistent, and instantly recognizable. Keeping your brand consistent doesn’t just help your business look put together; it positively impacts brand recognition and trust! Businesses often scatter branding elements that ultimately lead to confusion for their audience. Still, with a comprehensive style guide outlining logo usage, color schemes, typography, and imagery across all channels, your audience will know exactly who you are.
POOR USE OF TYPOGRAPHY
To put it bluntly, typography can make or break your design. Picking too many fonts or the “wrong” fonts can make your content (and brand) look messy and unreadable. A common error we see brands making is including too many different styled fonts, inconsistent font sizes, or poor font combinations that muddy up their content. By sticking to two or three fonts that align with your brand, your content will enhance clarity and reinforce your brand’s personality!
IGNORING CONTRAST AND COLOR THEORY
Color and contrast are crucial in making designs accessible and visually appealing. If the colors used lack sufficient contrast, the text can be hard to read and lose a potential audience. When designing, use tools to check contrast ratios and choose colors that look good and work hand-in-hand with your brand’s message. Using the right colors can help evoke the right emotions in your audience and potential customers while making your design more engaging.
OVERLOADING DESIGNS WITH INFORMATION
An easily overlooked rule in design? Less is often more. When businesses try to cram too much information into a design, it’s easy to overwhelm your audience. Instead, keep in mind the principle of simplicity. The negative space in a design is an effective tool that can help create a more organized and aesthetically pleasing layout. Be sure to prioritize your message and guide your audience through what they need to know with a clear visual hierarchy.
FORGETTING THE IMPORTANCE OF A LOGO
Your logo is the face of your brand. However, some businesses find themselves settling for generic logos that do nothing to enhance the essence of their brand. Often, your logo is your first introduction to an audience or potential customer, so make sure it is recognizable enough not to be forgotten. Invest in a simple, scalable, and versatile logo that will help enhance brand recognition and loyalty.
BLENDING IN WITH COMPETITORS
In a crowded market, standing out is essential. Don’t allow yourself to get pulled in while paying attention to the industry’s and competitors’ common design trends. Mimicking common or popular design trends can result in a lack of unique identity. Innovation and unique visual identities help set your brand apart.
Investing in quality design is investing in your business’s future. Make the most of your business strategy by avoiding these common graphic design blunders and making a fantastic first impression. Let us help you ensure your design works for your brand – not against it. Give our team a call to get started!